The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-02-26
RodneyBo yGsMistake.

snow tnllin'.
"Ycs, I'm dying, nephew; I can
live but few hours at the flrthest.' %
"Oh, unclew grasped Rodney
Boyd, in cho ing voice, raising his
handkerchief to his face, but more to
hide the flash of joy in the keen
gray eyes than the tears, which no
amount Of effort could bring to
them.
"Evcr since | have been lying
here, and knew that | must die,'
said the old man, feebly, 81 have
thought much of your father. We
were boys together, and though we
didn't agree very well when we grew
up, that fact ought not to make me
unjust to his SON"
Here the speaker was interrupted
by a violent fit ofcoughing.
- did intend to leave all my pro-
perty to Mary" hcresumed. "Mary
is a good girl, and has been like Il
daughter to me but | have been
thinking that | ought not to leave it
from my kin. Not but that I've
made provision for her, of Course
You understand, nephew, that she
is to have a home here until shegets
married
"Set your mind at rest, my dear
uncle she shall be treated by me in
every respect as if she was my own
cousin"
"Thank you, nephew F.; Pm glad
you feel so. Mary has been as kind
to me as any daughter could be, and
! want her made comfortable. You
will find the will in the middle of
the desk yonder. You'll see that
I've given the larger part to you. |
did think of giving you Mary's por-
ton and leaving the rest to her, but
| changed my mind
Here the old man was seized with
another fit Of coughing, so severe
that Mary, hearing him, came in
from below, whittier she had gone
to prepare some reireshment for the
invalid.
Mary was Il fair, pleasant looking
girl of about eighteen, with soft blu,
eyes and lustrous brown hair drawn
very smoothly away from the whit,
forehead. The red lips looked as i
they might dimple into smiles, undel
circumstances more favorable to call.
ing them forth, but now the fac,
wore a weary, anxious look, as sh'
bent over his form, who had beer
the only friend and protector of he
orphaned childhood, but who wal
soon to leave her.
The invalid might have noticed
this, for as soon as he was easier h,
said:
"You had better go and lie down
Mary, my dear. You must be com
plctcly worn out. Rodney, here
will stay with me the rest of tn,
night, and if | am worse, will cal
you"
81 entreat that you will do 50
Miss Mary" urged the man ALLUDED
to, in his oiliest and smothest man
ner 81 shall consider it Il privileg,
to watch by my uucle while you ob
tain the rest that you so evidentl,
need"
Doubtful as to whether she woulC
be able to endure the fatigue o
watching another night, Mary com
piled, though she did so reluctantly
for she had an instructive distrust o
Rodney Boyd, which she was una
BILE to reason away or explain.
Rodney Boyd sat in an easy chai
before a cracking wood fre-for no
thing would suit old Simon Boyt
but the open Fireplace, arounC
which he used to gather in happ,
boyhood.-lIis charge had beel
quiet for the last few hours, appar
emily in light slumber.
Rodncy's thoughts were busy
lie thought over what he would d'
with the money for which he ha,
been so long waiting and scheming
He glanced contemptously aroun'
on the old fashioned furniture, ever,
article Of which was so dear to hi
uncle's heart
It'll never do formc,' he mutter
ed. "lll sell it oll-and the ole
house, too. That will be Il gooC
way to get rid of the girl, and III d
it.
Then his thoughts reverted to tn
will with Il dissatisfied, uneasy fee
ing.
"Why did he make one? | wa
the hcir-at-law, and, othcrwis,
would have Inherited all
He was aroused from these rehet
tions by groam from his uncle, fo
lowed by sharp rattle. On reacl
ing the bedside he was startled b